Implant Dentistry Example: Extracting a Single Tooth Procedure With Option To Replace with  A Single Tooth Implant.

We always do our bests as cosmetic dentists to recommend treatments that save teeth. However, there are instances where a tooth is so badly damaged that it cannot be saved. At such times, single tooth extraction is the only choice with options to replace tooth with a dental implant.

Instances where this may be the case include:

         Teeth that are fractured below the gumline

         Severe tooth decay

         Advanced Periodontal disease

         An impacted wisdom tooth

Before implementing the actual extraction procedure, we may give you nitrous oxide as a relaxant.  We also will numb the area around the tooth with an anesthetic in order to make the procedure painless.  We want you to be as comfortable as possible.  We will make sure that the area is completely numb before we begin extracting the tooth.  If more anesthetic is required, we will administer that before proceeding any further.

During a single tooth extraction, you will feel pressure, but you should not feel any pain.  If you do feel pain, we will stop and administer more anesthetic.

The extraction procedure itself may vary based upon the location and condition of the tooth we are pulling.  For example, if the tooth has not yet come in through the gums, we will have to begin by making a small incision in the gum.  We will then remove the tooth with an instrument called an elevator.  This instrument is placed next to your tooth and is used to gently loosen it. 

Once the tooth is loose, we then switch to forceps.  Forceps are used to grip the tooth and carefully pull it out.  The goal is to do so with minimal bleeding.

A single tooth extraction procedures may be more complicated if tooth roots are curved.  When they are curved they often reach around the jawbone and hold tightly within the socket.  We may need to cut the tooth into sections in such a case in order to remove it. 

In any event, any time we make an incision during an extraction procedure, we close it with a few stitches after completing the procedure.

It is important that you take care of yourself after a tooth extraction.  We want you to minimize potential problems after the tooth is removed by following all post-operative instructions to the letter.  The most critical period is the first 24 hours after the procedure, when bleeding and infection are most likely to occur.  Our post-operative instructions include information on how to control bleeding, how to minimize pain, and how to minimize swelling.

We also give you instructions on how to prevent the development of a dry socket, and we advise you on what to eat and what not to eat.

As cosmetic dentists, we are not out to promote the benefits of extracting teeth as the first choice for our patients.  However, we do concede that there are those times when it is necessary as a last resort.  Single tooth extraction is often the only way to reduce the risk of infection, the spread of gum disease, jawbone cysts, or severely crowded or misaligned teeth.

Houston Cosmetic Dentistry is a specialized field that requires extensive knowledge and experience to be done correctly. The Medical Center Dental Group in Houston, Texas brings all of that and more to the direct benefit of each and every patient we treat. Although we are located in the world famous Houston Medical Center at Scurlock Towers, we routinely see dental patients who travel from Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, Beaumont and Midland Texas to see Dr. Dale Brant, Dr. Charles Campbell or Dr. Elizabeth OSullivan-Winslow for their cosmetic denistry services that includes: